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Spain's New Immigration Regulation Targets Regularization of 500,000 Migrants Annually

Catalunya aims to integrate 200,000 migrants into its labor force over two years as Spain implements sweeping residency reforms.

Un camarero cobra con tarjeta a unos clientes en una terraza frente al Liceu.
Image
El delegado del Gobierno en Cataluña, Carlos Prieto

Overview

  • The new regulation, effective May 20, reduces residency requirements for permits from three years to two and expands eligibility for work permits to various migrant groups.
  • Catalunya projects to regularize 100,000 migrants per year through 2026, contributing to Spain's national goal of 300,000 annual regularizations.
  • Spain plans a 30–40% staffing increase in Extranjería offices by October 2025 to support the regulation's implementation.
  • Critics argue that changes to asylum rules, excluding wait times from residency eligibility, may discourage asylum applications.
  • Migrants already play a key role in Spain's labor market, comprising 13% of Social Security affiliates and filling 41% of jobs created in the past year.